Grants

Grants are considered "gift aid" and do not have to be repaid. Eligibility for grants is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as calculated on the FAFSA. Visit the information below to learn more about the various federal, state, and institutional grants available to UNI students.

Federal Grants

The U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula to determine a students financial eligibility, otherwise known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your SAR contains this number, in the upper right portion of page 1. This number will determine if you are eligible for a Pell Grant and for how much. Awards are prorated for students enrolling less than full time.

Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree is usually earned after earning a bachelor's degree in a field such as medicine, law, or dentistry.) In some cases, you might receive a Pell Grant for attending a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a high need field in a low income school. Due to federal sequestration, the maximum TEACH Grant is currently $3,708 for the academic year.

State Grants

The Iowa Grant program is a statewide need-based program to assist high-need Iowa residents. Recipients must demonstrate a high level of financial need to receive awards ranging from $100-$1000. Awards are prorated for students enrolling less than full time. In the event that available state funds are insufficient to pay the full amount of each approved grant, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission has the authority to administratively reduce the award. (Funds are limited.)

The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship is available for one year only. Recipients must demonstrate financial need as determined on the FAFSA with a High School GPA of 2.5 or above. Students must complete an application through the Iowa College Student Aid Commission at www.iowacollegeaid.gov

Institutional Grants

This program provides 4 year commitment of full tuition and fees provided through a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. The applicant must be an Iowa resident, newly graduated from Iowa high school, and must have an Expected Family contribution (EFC) as determined on the FAFSA of 1000 or less throughout four years for continued eligibility.

This program provides two year commitment of full tuition and fees provided through a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. The applicant must be an Iowa resident, must be Pell Grant eligible as determined by the FAFSA throughout two years for continued eligibility, must have 30 transferable hours from an Iowa Community College, and requires ethnic or racial status of African American/Black, Hispanic/Latina/Spanish, Alaskan Native or American Indian, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

This program awards prorated for less than full-time enrollment and renewable based on EFC on next year's FAFSA. The applicant must have an Expected Family contribution (EFC) as determined on the FAFSA of 8000 or less. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.